Today our nation lost a soldier. A man dedicated to protecting and serving our country. And today a family lost a father, a son, a brother, a cousin, a nephew. Friends lost a pal to laugh with and confide in. Animals lost an owner to feed them and love them. In the grand scheme of things maybe the life of one man who got up in the morning and put on a uniform and did his duty just like any other day doesn’t seem like much. But it should, because it is huge. Where once he shone a light in his unique way, now there is a void left behind, and all who call themselves a member of mankind feel that void.

Thank you, Cpl. Nathan Cirillo, for serving our country. Thank you for being a father, a son, a brother, a cousin, a nephew, a friend, and a pet owner. Thank you for being you.

And to end, a great quote: “But I hope most of all that you understand that even though I will never meet you, laugh with you, cry with you, or kiss you, I love you. With all my heart, I love you.”